Deals on detailing...

one other thought on detailing, which is just a thought and not really advice. but this used to be the kind of thing younger teenagers in your neighborhood would beg to do. i remember my brother used to make extra money cleaning cars on our block when he was about 14 or 15. he'd vacuum them and clean the all the cracks and grooves with qtips -- he kept Armor All in business. but i think finding neighborhood kids willing to work anymore (mowing grass, raking leaves, cleaning your car) is a thing of the past! but if you have an industrious kid in the neighborhood, that might be an excellent option.

with all due respect to ibmman69...i'm big on conserving water and haven't washed my car with water in at least year. BUT there are times you do need to wash your car or you can damage the resale value of the car, so no need to get all hateful. i wasn't the one asking the question but i can tell you that where i have to park i get tree sap on my car all the time and have to spot clean it frequently (btw Maguire's makes a good spray product for that). i already had the paint job on another car ruined because of sap. and also if there's salt on the roads, that needs to be washed off the car, as well as bird poop, which can ruin paint. and you know, some of us have never watered a lawn in our lives, so having a car washed once a year or so (at a places that use reclaimed water, for goodness sakes) isn't exactly a crime. so seriously, no need for name-calling.

Perhaps I should clarify: I want the inside of my car cleaned. I have not washed the outside of my car in over 8 months. I don't think having the inside wiped down and vacuumed will add to our water problems. I know all about and completely agree with Governor Easley's "A dirty car is a sign of civic responsibility" though I don't think he was referring to the inside...

What kind of narcissistic jerk worries about washing their car in a drought? Seriously...

Dan, what do they charge? Ballpark?

Oddly enough, I've been very impressed with the Preflight parking business near the airport. I park my car there when I fly, and if I fill out the form, they will wash inside, outside, etc., etc. They do a fantastic job.

Thanks for the tips! I am definitely looking for the cheapest place that still does a good job because technically I *could* do it myself. Just hate to pay a lot for being lazy! :)

I've heard good things about Men At Work, too. They're downtown at the corner of W. Morgan Street at S. West Street.

I can't remember pricing, but the two places I have used that do a good job and HAND wash the exterior of the car (which is what I prefer) is that Gentle Touch Handscrub place on Wake Forest Rd in Raleigh, right at the intersection of Six Forks. Seems like they have specials if you go during the week instead of Saturdays. Also, if you work downtown, Men at Work has always been great. You can google both places (both in Raleigh). I think the best detailing work is done at car dealerships because their used cars always look brand new on the inside. I have always wondered if you can take your car to a dealership for detailing? It would probably cost a fortune, but...